Holy Rosary: Soul’s Disposition in Contemplation and Silence

Praying the Hail Mary, is a disposition to be observed carefully that our voices do not overpower the voice of God who always speaks through the silence like the still “soft whisper of a voice” (1 Kgs 19: 12). The moment I started to pray the holy rosary, I feel comfortable to call Mother Mary as my own mother and her guidance and assistance in my life is innumerable. The moment I go back to my past experiences, I always draw near to my family who always prays the holy rosary. Then I realize that, rhythmic repetition of the Hail Mary does not disturb inner silence but indeed both demands and nourishes peace and joy.

The holy rosary is a disposition of the soul in contemplation and silence. As I contemplate the holy rosary, it seems like a prayer that accumulates words; therefore, it is difficult to do silence that is rightly recommended for meditation and contemplation. But the reverse is true, it is important to foster silence in the presence of God both in personal recitation and in recitation with the community. Continuously, there is joy in praying the holy rosary that penetrates in the core of my being. As I reflect every mystery, I feel that I am with the people accompanying and looking at Jesus in his journey of life.

In the present world situation, praying the holy rosary helps me to put Christ at the center, as mother Mary did, who meditated within all that was said about Jesus, and also what he did and said. When I recite the holy rosary, the important and meaningful moments of salvation history are recalled.

In times of danger, the holy rosary is my weapon to seek for assistance. One moment of my life when I was in the ship during my watch as a BSMT student, and we were tossed by the strong wind and current, I never ceased to pray the holy rosary. Accordingly, when the holy rosary is prayed in a faithful manner, not mechanical and superficial but profoundly, it brings peace and reconciliation. This is what I experience that the holy rosary contains within myself the healing power of the most holy name of Jesus. The moment I invoked the Hail Mary at the center of my faith and love I am at peace.

This is a beautiful tradition that I have had since my childhood. And since the moment I entered the seminary formation the holy rosary is one of my guiding principles to be close to Jesus and to Mother Mary. Indeed, how is it possible to forget praying the holy rosary when it becomes now part of my system and as a way of living.

Today, together we confirm that the holy rosary is not just a religious practice in the past, like that of the other prayers, thought of with a wistfulness. Instead, the holy rosary is an experience of a new sprout of faith that grow by constant practice of it.

May the blessed Mother Mary continue to help every person who invokes her assistance and may we welcome within ourselves the grace emanating from the mysteries of the holy rosary. In that manner, through us we can give inspiration to the society, beginning with our daily relationships, and purifying them from so many negative forces, consequently opening them to the newness of God. (Sem. Soren Abellanosa)